Receiver Clustering for Indoor Location Tracking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing indoor location technologies face challenges such as signal attenuation, interference, and high deployment costs due to the need for custom infrastructure and complex configuration, which affect accuracy and overhead in determining the location of people and objects within indoor spaces.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing wireless radio, sound, and/or light-based beacons communicating with receivers to provide real-time location determination and tracking, managed through an electronic database and software application, allowing for precise location identification and tracking without the need for line-of-sight and minimizing interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If infrastructure-based technologies with physical receivers are deployed, then location measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and deployment costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by using existing multi-functional infrastructure components (WiFi access points, Bluetooth devices, cellular base stations) that already provide communication services to also perform location detection functions. This eliminates the need for dedicated location receivers, reducing device complexity while maintaining location measurement precision through signal analysis of these universal infrastructure elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies self-service by utilizing the existing signal transmissions from infrastructure devices (WiFi, Bluetooth, cellular) that are already operating for their primary communication purposes. These signals automatically provide the necessary data for location determination without requiring additional active transmission or dedicated location-specific infrastructure, thereby reducing deployment complexity while maintaining accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If signal triangulation and fingerprinting methods are used, then location accuracy is improved, but overhead in deployment and configuration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies self-service by automatically utilizing existing signal environments (WiFi, Bluetooth, cellular) that are already present and operating. The infrastructure devices continuously transmit signals for their primary communication functions, and these same signals are passively analyzed for location determination, eliminating the need for manual fingerprinting configuration and reducing deployment overhead while maintaining location accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies universality by using the same infrastructure signals (WiFi, Bluetooth, cellular) for both their primary communication function and secondary location detection function. This multi-functional use eliminates the need for separate location-specific infrastructure and configuration, reducing deployment overhead while maintaining measurement precision through signal triangulation and analysis.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If line-of-sight requirements are imposed, then signal interference is reduced, but reliability of location determination decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by combining multiple signal sources (WiFi, Bluetooth, cellular) and multiple detection methods (triangulation, signal strength analysis, time-of-flight) into a unified location determination system. This combination allows the system to compensate for signal blockages and interference by using alternative signal paths and sources, thereby maintaining reliability even when line-of-sight is obstructed, while still filtering out harmful interference through multi-source validation.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for determining the presence of an asset or person at a particular spot within a location. The asset or person is provided with a beacon transmitting a beacon signal. A plurality of receivers are disposed throughout the location. In one embodiment, two or more adjacent or nearby receivers are grouped together to define a receiver cluster. The receiver cluster having the highest average signal strength from the signal being transmitted from the beacon of the asset or person as determined by an electronic identification and location tracking system determines the particular area within the location where the asset or person is present at.